Garments including electronic panels

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present the disclosure relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for flexible electronic panels that can be incorporated into various garments. In an exemplary embodiment, a garment comprising a plurality of panels. In aspects, a first panel is a unitary panel extending from a first appendage of the garment to a second appendage of the garment. Additionally, at least the first panel comprises at least one conductive trace and wherein the remaining plurality of panels form the remainder of the garment.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses, systems, andmethods for wearable electronics. More specifically, the disclosurerelates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for flexible electronicpanels that can be incorporated into various garments.

BACKGROUND

Wearable electronics and smart garments are becoming increasinglypopular. These wearable electronics, such as smart watches can detectthe pulse rate and oxygen saturation of a wearer. Smart garments candetect the movement of a wearer, potentially alerting a user of anunsafe condition or can cause a garment to light up, enhancingvisibility in low light conditions or for advertising or marketingpurposes. Further, the capability of wearable electronics has increaseddramatically during the last number of years, while the price ofwearable electronics decreased, adding to the popularity of these items.However, garments are typically made of multiple fabric panels that aresewn together. The electronic circuitry of a smart garment is oftenrequired to extend from one panel to another panel, and interconnectsbetween adjacent panels must be used to connect the electronics wherethe two panels meet. These electrical connections coupling two panelsmay have excessive wear due to the regular flexing of material at theseams of the garment, leading to the electronic panel being inoperable.Embodiments disclosed herein solve these problems.

SUMMARY

As mentioned above, wearable electronics and smart garments are becomingincreasingly popular. However, there are manufacturing challengesassociated with smart garments. Garments typically require multiplepanel pieces, where adjacent panel pieces are joined by sewing,stitching, bonding, adhering, welding or joining to form the finishedgarment. For example, a shirt can be produced from at least 4 panels, afront trunk portion, a rear trunk portion and two arm portions. Thepanels can be sewn together at adjacent edges to form the garment. Thepresent disclosure describes a unitary panel comprising at least oneconductive trace that can be used as one of the panel pieces to producea garment. The use of a unitary panel with at least one conductive traceallows fora garment where the electronic connections are not required tocross from one panel to another panel, thereby producing a durable smartgarment. As used herein the phrases “unitary panel” and “electronicpanel” are equivalent and mean a panel that is free from a seam crossingover the panel. At least one edge portion of the unitary panel may havea seam joining the unitary panel to an adjacent panel or joining oneedge of the unitary panel to itself, for example, in the case of thepanel encircling a cuff portion. It should be understood that theelectronic panel is a unitary panel comprising at least one conductivetrace.

According to one example, the present disclosure relates to a garmentcomprising a plurality of panels, wherein a first panel is a unitarypanel extending from a first appendage of the garment to a secondappendage of the garment, wherein at least the first panel comprises atleast one conductive trace and wherein the remaining plurality of panelsform the remainder of the garment. The garment can be a shirt, along-sleeved shirt, a short-sleeved shirt, pants, shorts, overall, upperbody garment, lower body garment, whole body garment, jacket, mid-layer,base-layer, coverall, gloves, socks, or hats. The appendages of thegarment is meant to denote the arm portions or sleeve(s), the legportions or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the unitarypanel can extend from a distal portion of a first arm portion (i.e., afirst appendage) to a distal portion of a second arm portion (i.e., asecond appendage). In other embodiments, the unitary panel can extendfrom a distal portion of a first leg portion to a distal portion of asecond leg portion. As used herein, the phrase “a distal portion” meansat any point of the appendage. For example, if the garment is along-sleeved shirt, with sleeves extending to each wrist, the unitarypanel can extend from any point of the first appendage, the wrist,forearm, elbow or bicep portion of the first arm portion independentlyto the wrist, forearm, elbow or bicep portion of the second appendage.As is typical with garments, the appendage length can vary dependingupon the design, the function or both the design and function of thegarment.

According to another example, the present disclosure relates to aunitary panel that is substantially flat and that is capable of beingincorporated into a garment (or an article) to form a 3-dimensionalgarment/article piece, wherein the unitary panel is a conductive panelcomprising at least one conductive trace. The garment can be a shirt, along-sleeved shirt, a short-sleeved shirt, pants, shorts, overalls,coveralls, gloves, socks, or hats. In aspects, the unitary panel isflexible and/or stretchable. In aspects, the unitary panel extends froma first point to a second point on a garment. In aspects, the firstpoint and the second point are on a torso of the garment. In someaspects, the first point is on the same side of the torso of the garmentas the second point. In other aspects, the first point is on a differentside of the torso of the garment as the second point. In some aspects,the unitary panel wraps around less than half of the torso. In otheraspects, the unitary panel wraps around more than half of the torso,e.g., wraps around an entire circumference of the torso.

According to yet another example, the present disclosure relates to twoor more garments, wherein the two or more garments are a base layer, amid-layer, an outer layer, a pair of pants, coveralls, overalls, gloves,socks, or hats, wherein each of the two or more garments comprises theunitary panel of the previous example; and wherein the unitary panel ofthe first garment is in electronic communication with the unitary panelof the second garment and/or subsequent garments. The garments can beshirts, long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, pants, shorts,overalls, coveralls, gloves, socks, and/or hats.

According to another example, the present disclosure relates to anelectronic panel that is substantially flat and configured to beincorporated into an article to be worn by a user, wherein theelectronic panel is devoid of any seams extending: laterally across aportion of the panel, longitudinally across a portion of the panel, orcombination thereof; wherein the electronic panel is coupled to aplurality of fabric panels of the article such that the electronic paneland the plurality of fabric panels form the article; and wherein theelectronic panel comprises at least one conductive trace.

According to another example, the present disclosure relates to anelectronic panel that is substantially flat and configured to beincorporated into an article to be worn by a user, wherein theelectronic panel is devoid of any seams extending: laterally across aportion the electronic panel, longitudinally across a portion of theelectronic panel, or combination thereof; wherein the electronic panelis configured to extend across at least a joint of the user; and whereinthe electronic panel comprises at least one conductive trace.

In aspects of any of the previous examples, the electronic panelincludes a synthetic polymer membrane compressed in the x-y directionand the conductive trace is located within the synthetic polymermembrane; the electronic panel comprises a stretchable substrate bondedto the synthetic polymer membrane; and the conductive trace is buckledin the z-direction.

In certain aspects, the article is a long sleeve shirt and theelectronic panel extends from a central portion across a front or a backof the garment to a distal portion of the first arm and to a distalportion of the second arm.

In certain other aspects, the article is a pair of pants and theelectronic panel extends from a central portion across a front or a backof the garment to a distal portion of a first leg and to a distalportion of a second leg.

In even other aspects, the article is a one-piece coverall garment andthe electronic panel extends from a central portion across a front or aback of the garment from a distal portion of a first arm to a distalportion of a second arm; and further comprises a trunk extension portionextending from the front or back of the one-piece coverall garment to atrunk portion of the one-piece coverall garment and further comprises atleast one leg extension portion extending from a distal portion of thetrunk extension portion to a distal portion of at least one of a legportion of the one-piece garment.

In aspects of any of the previous examples, at least one portion of atleast one of the distal portions of the electronic panel furthercomprises a laterally elongated portion which circumferentially wrapsaround a portion of the article. Additionally, or alternatively, theelectronic panel is a textile fabric, a film, a microporous membrane, orother suitable substrates, which independently may or may not have somedegree of elasticity, or a laminate thereof.

In certain aspects of any of the previous examples, the electronic panelcomprises a microporous membrane having the conductive trace imbibed inthe pores, on the microporous membrane or a combination thereof.Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel further comprisesan electrical connection coupled to the at least one conductive traceand configured to releasably couple to one or more electroniccomponents. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panelcomprises an electrical connection coupled to the at least oneconductive trace and configured to permanently couple to one or moreelectronic components.

In aspects of the previous example, the one or more electroniccomponents is one or more of: a power supply, a power switch, a sensor,electronic circuit, antenna, wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, aremote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter,a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, or acombination thereof.

In aspects of the previous example, at least two of: the power supply,the power switch, the sensor, the electronic circuit, the antenna, thewireless transmitter, the wireless receiver, the remote control, thedisplay device, the touch screen, the audio transmitter, the speaker,the microphone, the haptic device, the heating element, or thecombination thereof are connected to each other by the conductive trace.

In certain aspects of either of previous two examples, at least one of:the power supply, the power switch, the sensor, the electronic circuit,the antenna, the wireless transmitter, the wireless receiver, the remotecontrol, the display device, the touch screen, the audio transmitter,the speaker, the microphone, the haptic device, the heating element, orthe combination thereof is removable and/or replaceable.

In aspects of any of the previous examples, the electronic panel is amultilayer electronic panel comprising one or more of textile, film, acombination or a laminate thereof.

In certain embodiments of the previous example, the multilayerelectronic panel is a laminate comprising an outer textile layer, amiddle film layer and an inner textile layer.

In certain aspects of the previous embodiment, the middle film layer isa microporous layer wherein the conductive trace is within themicroporous layer.

In aspects of any of the previous examples, the electronic panel furthercomprises a conductive connection configured to route electricity orelectrical signals from the first panel to a second panel. Additionally,or alternatively, at least one portion of the electronic panel furthercomprises a power supply housing. Additionally, or alternatively, theelectronic panel is flexible and/or stretchable. Additionally, oralternatively, wherein the garment is a shirt and comprises a collarhousing for storing one or more electronic components.

In certain aspects of the previous example, the one or more electroniccomponents is one or more of: a power supply, a power switch, a sensor,electronic circuit, antenna, wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, aremote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter,a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, or acombination thereof.

According to yet another example, the present disclosure relates to amethod of manufacturing a garment, the method comprising: providing aplurality of panels, wherein a first panel of the plurality of panels isa unitary panel comprising a conductive trace; coupling the first panelto a second panel of the plurality of panels at a seam; coupling anyremaining panels to the first panel and/or the second panel to form thegarment, wherein the first panel is devoid of any seams extending:laterally across a portion of the panel, longitudinally across a portionof the panel, or a combination thereof.

In aspects of the previous embodiment, wherein the first panel portionextends from a first appendage of the garment to a second appendage ofthe garment. Alternatively, the garment is a shirt, wherein the firstpanel extends from a central portion across a front or a back of theshirt to a distal portion of the first arm and to a distal portion ofthe second arm. Alternatively, the garment is a pair of pants and thefirst panel extends from a central portion across a front or a back ofthe garment to a distal portion of the first leg and to a distal portionof the second leg. Alternatively, the garment is a one-piece coverall,wherein the garment is a one-piece coverall garment and the first panelfurther comprises a trunk extension portion extending from the front orback of the one-piece coverall garment to a trunk portion of theone-piece coverall garment and further comprises at least one legextension portion extending from a distal portion of the trunk extensionportion to a distal portion of at least one of a leg portion of theone-piece garment.

In aspects of any of the previous method of manufacturing examples,coupling the first panel to the second panel comprises a sewn seam, anadhesive seam, a welded seam, a bonded seam or a combination thereof.Additionally, or alternatively, the method of manufacturing the garmentfurther comprise forming the unitary panel by arranging the conductivetrace on or within a synthetic polymer membrane.

In aspects of the previous embodiment, the electronic panel is amultilayer panel comprising one or more of textile, film, a combinationor a laminate thereof. In aspects of the previous embodiment, theelectronic panel is a multilayer panel that is a laminate comprising anouter textile layer, a middle film layer and an inner textile layer. Inaspects of the previous embodiment, the middle film layer is amicroporous layer wherein the conductive trace is within the microporouslayer. In aspects of any of the previous embodiments, the method ofmanufacturing further comprises coupling one or more electroniccomponents to the conductive trace.

In aspects of the previous example, the one or more electroniccomponents is one or more of: a power supply, a power switch, a sensor,electronic circuit, antenna, wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, aremote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter,a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, or acombination thereof.

The foregoing Examples are just that, and should not be read to limit orotherwise narrow the scope of any of the inventive concepts otherwiseprovided by the instant disclosure. While multiple examples aredisclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilledin the art from the following detailed description, which shows anddescribes illustrative examples. Accordingly, the drawings and detaileddescription are to be regarded as illustrative in nature rather thanrestrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments, and together withthe description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an example system of an electronic panel incorporated into agarment that can be worn by a subject, according to at least oneembodiment;

FIGS. 2A-B is an example of an electronic panel incorporated into agarment, according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an example of the electronic panel illustrated in FIGS. 2A-Bdecoupled from the garment, according to at least one embodiment;

FIGS. 4A-B is another example of an electronic panel incorporated into agarment, according to at least one embodiment;

FIGS. 5A-B is yet another example of an electronic panel incorporatedinto a garment, according to at least one embodiment;

FIGS. 6A-C are schematic illustrations of the formation of a conductivearticle where the electrically conductive trace has been applied to thesurface of the synthetic polymer membrane and buckled, according to atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 6D is a schematic illustration of the application of an electronicpanel to both sides of a garment, according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 6E is a schematic illustration of a stretchable substrate havingthereon a buckled synthetic polymer membrane on each side thereof,according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 6F is a schematic illustration of a synthetic polymer membranehaving electrically conductive traces on both sides thereof and imbibedelectrically conductive traces electrically interconnecting theelectrically conductive traces where the synthetic polymer membrane isin a buckled configuration, according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 6G is a schematic illustration of a synthetic polymer membranehaving electrically conductive traces on both sides thereof and verticalinterconnect accesses electrically interconnecting the electricallyconductive traces where the synthetic polymer membrane is in a buckledconfiguration, according to at least one em bodim ent;

FIG. 7A is a schematic illustration of a conductive article where theelectrically conductive trace has been imbibed into the syntheticpolymer membrane and buckled, according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a schematic illustration of a conductive article having abuckled synthetic polymer membrane on each side of the stretchablesubstrate, according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating physical components (e.g.,hardware) of a computing device with which aspects of the disclosure maybe practiced;

FIG. 9A is a simplified diagram of a mobile computing device with whichaspects of the present disclosure may be practiced; and

FIG. 9B is another simplified block diagram of a mobile computing devicewith which aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced.

FIG. 10 is another example of an electronic panel incorporated into agarment, according to at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosures of all cited patent and non-patent literature areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

As used herein, the term “embodiment” or “disclosure” is not meant to belimiting, but applies generally to any of the embodiments defined in theclaims or described herein. These terms are used interchangeably herein.

Unless otherwise disclosed, the terms “a” and “an” as used herein areintended to encompass one or more (i.e., at least one) of a referencedfeature.

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be morereadily understood, by those of ordinary skill in the art from readingthe following detailed description. It is to be appreciated that certainfeatures of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described above andbelow in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided incombination in a single element. Conversely, various features of thedisclosure that are, for brevity, described in the context of a singleembodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub-combination.In addition, references to the singular may also include the plural (forexample, “a” and “an” may refer to one or more) unless the contextspecifically states otherwise.

The use of numerical values in the various ranges specified in thisapplication, unless expressly indicated otherwise, are stated asapproximations as though the minimum and maximum values within thestated ranges were both proceeded by the word “about”. In this manner,slight variations above and below the stated ranges can be used toachieve substantially the same results as values within the ranges.Also, the disclosure of these ranges is intended as a continuous rangeincluding each and every value between the minimum and maximum values.

Description of Various Embodiments

Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspectsof the present disclosure can be realized by any number of methods andapparatuses configured to perform the intended functions. It should alsobe noted that the accompanying drawing figures referred to herein arenot necessarily drawn to scale but may be exaggerated to illustratevarious aspects of the present disclosure, and in that regard, thedrawing figures should not be construed as limiting.

FIG. 1 is an example system 100 of an electronic panel 102 incorporatedinto a garment 104 that can be worn by a subject 106, in accordance withan embodiment. As illustrated, the electronic panel 102 can beincorporated into various types of garments 104 including but notlimited to shirts (e.g., long-sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts, tanktops, etc.), pants, shorts, overalls, coveralls, leggings, dresses,skirts, underwear, gloves, socks, hats, and/or the like. According tocertain embodiments, the electronic panel 102 and/or the garment 104 canbe a textile fabric, a film, a microporous membrane, or other suitablesubstrates, which independently may or may not have some degree ofelasticity, or a laminate thereof. Additional details of these examplesare provided below.

In some embodiments, the electronic panel 102 can be a unitary panelthat, along with panel pieces A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″, form thegarment 104. In these embodiments, the electronic panel 102 is attachedto one or more panels pieces A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″ at or near theperimeter of each panel piece and forms a portion of the garment 104. Inaspects, individual panel pieces A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″ and theelectronic panel 102 that form the garment 104 may be attached to eachother by a seam. For example, the electronic panel 102 can be coupled tothe individual panel pieces by at least one seam 108′, 108″, 108′″ thatextends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the electronicpanel 102. Attachment methods to form the seam can include, for example,stitching, bonding, laminating, gluing, adhesion, welding or acombination thereof. Because the electronic panel 102 can be unitary andis attached to more than one panel piece A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″ ofthe garment 104, electrical connections between individual garmentpanels are not required. An electrically conductive trace (e.g., theelectrically conductive trace 120 discussed below) can allow theconnection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multipleportions of the garment 104, for example, adjacent to multiple panelpieces A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″, by extending along a portion of alength of the electronic panel 102 and/or along an entirety of thelength of the electronic panel 102. Additionally, or alternatively, anelectrically conductive trace (e.g., the electrically conductive trace120 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electricalcomponents adjacent to multiple portions of the garment 104, forexample, panel pieces A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″, by extending along aportion of a width of the electronic panel 102 and/or along an entiretyof the width of the electronic panel 102. As such, the electronic panel102 and the functionality thereof can be associated with multiple panelpieces A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″. It should be understood that thepresent disclosure describes the formation of garments from a unitarypanel and one or more additional panels, those one or more additionalpanels are described herein as A′, A″, A′″, B′ and/or B″, forconvenience only. The garment may be produced from the unitary panel,that is, the electronic panel, and from at least one additional panel.In some embodiments, the number of additional panels could be 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more. The exact number of additional panels usedto form the garment will depend upon many factors and, for example, canbe a design choice, a functional decision or a combination of design andfunction.

In aspects, the electronic panel 102 can be an electronic panel that isdevoid of any seams and extends between and/or is attached to at leastone of the panel pieces A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″ of the garment 104.In certain instances, the electronic panel 102 is devoid of any seamsextending laterally across a portion of the electronic panel 102, i.e.,extending across a portion of the width of the electronic panel 102.Additionally, or alternatively, in certain instances, the electronicpanel 102 is devoid of any seams extending longitudinally across aportion of the electronic panel 102, i.e., extending across a portion ofthe length of the electronic panel 102.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 102 is sewn,applied, and/or adhered to the other panel pieces A′, A″, A′″, B′,and/or B″ to form the garment 104. In certain embodiments where thegarment 104 is a shirt, the electronic panel 102 may be attached tomultiple panels A′, A″, A′″ by extending from a first appendage of thegarment 104 to a second appendage of the garment 104, for example, adistal portion of a first arm portion 110 to a distal portion of asecond arm portion 112. In certain instances, the distal portion of thefirst arm portion 110 may be referred to herein as a first distalportion of a first arm portion 110, the distal portion of a second armportion 112 may be referred to herein as a second distal portion of asecond arm portion 112, and, collectively, the distal portion of thefirst arm portion 110 and the distal portion of a second arm portion 112may be referred to herein as distal arm portions 110, 112.

Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel 102 may be attachedto a portion of the torso of the garment 104, as illustrated in FIG. 1.In some of these embodiments, the electronic panel 102 can extend from afirst point 113 on the torso of the garment 104 to a second point 115 onthe torso of the garment 104. In some embodiments, the first point 113and the second point 115 are on the same side of the torso of thegarment 104 and in other embodiments the first point 113 and the secondpoint 115 are on different sides of the torso of the garment 104. Insome embodiments, the electronic panel 102 wraps around less than halfof the torso of the garment 104 and in other embodiments the electronicpanel 102 wraps around more than half of the torso of the garment 104.In some embodiments, the electronic panel 102 wraps around an entirecircumference of the torso of the garment 104.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 102 can include alaterally elongated portion 110, 112 at one or more of the arm portions,which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or bothof the arm portions of the subject 106. By including a laterallyelongated portion that wraps around at least a portion of the armportion, the electronic panel 102 may, in some embodiments, provide arelatively tight fit around one or more arms of the subject 106, whichcan facilitate accurate readings by one or more sensors incorporatedinto the electronic panel 102, as discussed in more detail below. Insome embodiments, the electronic panel 102 can include a laterallyelongated portion 110, 112, arranged at a distance from one or more ofthe distal arm portions which circumferentially wraps around at least aportion of one or both of the arm portions of the subject 106.Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel 102 can include alaterally elongated portion 110, 112, which circumferentially wrapsaround a distal portion of one or both of the arm portions of thesubject 106. In some embodiments, the laterally elongated portion 110extends around more than half of the arm portion as illustrated and inother embodiments the laterally elongated portion 112 extends aroundless than half of the arm portion as illustrated.

In certain embodiments where the garment 104 is a pair of pants, theelectronic panel 102 is attached to multiple panels by extending from adistal portion of a first leg portion 116 to a distal portion of asecond leg portion 114. In certain instances, the distal portion of thefirst leg portion 116 may be referred to herein as a first distalportion of a first leg portion 116, the distal portion of a second legportion 114 may be referred to herein as a second distal portion of asecond leg portion 114, and, collectively, the distal portion of thefirst leg portion 116 and the distal portion of a second leg portion 114may be referred to herein as distal leg portions 116, 114.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 102 can include alaterally elongated portion 114, 116 at one or more of the leg portionswhich circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or bothof the leg portions of the subject 106. By including a laterallyelongated portion that wraps around at least a portion of the legportion, the electronic panel 102 may, in some embodiments, provide arelatively tight fit around one or more legs of the subject 106, whichcan facilitate accurate readings by one or more of the sensorsincorporated into the electronic panel 102, as discussed in more detailbelow. In some embodiments, the electronic panel 102 can include alaterally elongated portion 114, 116 arranged at a distance from one ormore of the distal leg portions which circumferentially wraps around atleast a portion of one or both of the leg portions of the subject 106.Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel 102 can include alaterally elongated portion 114, 116 which circumferentially wrapsaround a distal portion of one or both of the leg portions of thesubject 106.

Other examples of garments 104 and the incorporation of the electronicpanel 102 into the exemplary garments 104 is explained in more detailbelow.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 102 includes asynthetic polymer membrane 118 and an electrically conductive trace 120.According to certain embodiments, the electrically conductive trace 120can include multiple electrically conductive traces 120. In certainembodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane 118 and the electricallyconductive trace 120 can partially or fully span the electronic panel102. Accordingly, the electrically conductive trace 120 can be adjacentto multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A′, A″, A′″, B′, and/or B″)and provide an electrical connection at various portions of the garment.

According to certain embodiments, the electrically conductive trace 120may be positioned on the surface of or be imbibed into the pores throughthe thickness of the synthetic polymer membrane 118. The electronicpanel 102 may be compressed within the membrane plane such that bucklingof the synthetic polymer membrane 118 occurs out of the membrane planeor in the “thickness” direction of the synthetic polymer membrane 118.Additionally, the synthetic polymer membrane 118 may be porous ornon-porous. In some embodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane 118 ismicroporous.

Advantageously, the electronic panel 102 can retain conductiveperformance over a range of stretch, thereby reducing the likelihood theelectronic panel 102 becomes inoperable due to the flexing of thegarment 104. For example, the electronic panel 102 can have negligibleresistance change when stretched up to 50% strain of the original,relaxed configuration of the electronic panel 102. “Strain”, as definedherein, is meant to denote the extension of the synthetic polymermembrane 118 relative to its original, relaxed configuration. In someembodiments, the electronic panel 102 has negligible resistance changewhen stretched up to 100% strain or even over 100% strain. In someembodiments, the electronic panel 102 is more stretchable than thegarment 104 into which the electronic panel 102 is incorporated.

According to certain embodiments, the term “electrically conductivetrace” as used herein is meant to describe a continuous line orcontinuous pathway that is able to conduct electrons therethrough. Inexemplary embodiments, non-conducting regions are located alongside theelectrically conductive trace 120 on or within the synthetic polymermembrane 118. In some embodiments, an electrically conductive ink may beused to deposit the electrically conductive trace 120 on or into thesynthetic polymer membrane 118. The term “electrically conductive ink”as used herein refers to materials that incorporate electricallyconductive particles in a carrier liquid (e.g., a solvent). In someembodiments, the electrically conductive particles include silver, gold,copper, or platinum particles. Non-limiting examples of suitableelectrically conductive inks include 2108-IPA (Nanogap Inc., Richmond,Calif.), UTDAgPA (UT Dots, Inc., Champaign, Ill.), UTDAg60X (UT Dots,Inc., Champaign, Ill.), PE872 (DuPont, Wilmington, Del.), 125-19FS(Creative Materials, Inc., Ayer, Mass.), and CM 036 (EngineeredConductive Materials, Delaware, Ohio). Non-limiting examples of otherelectrically conductive materials that form the electrically conductivetrace 120 include electrically conductive metal particles ornanoparticles (e.g., silver, gold, copper, and platinum), particles ornanoparticles of other electrically conductive materials {e.g., graphiteor carbon black), electrically conductive nanotubes, electricallyconductive metal flakes, electrically conductive polymers, andcombinations thereof. As used herein, the term “nanoparticle” is meantto describe a particle that has a size from 1.0 nm to 100 nm in at leastone dimension of the conductive particle.

In certain examples, the electrically conductive trace may bedistributed onto the outer surface of a porous or non-porous syntheticpolymer membrane 118 and/or deposited in the pores of a porous (ormicroporous) synthetic polymer membrane 118. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable synthetic polymer membranes include polyurethanes,polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluorinated ethylene propylene(FEP), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), modified polytetrafluoroethylenepolymers, tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymers, polyalkylenes such aspolypropylene and polyethylene, polyester sulfone (PES), polyesters,poly (p-xylylene) (ePPX) as taught in U.S. Patent Publication No.2016/0032069, porous ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (eUHMWPE)as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 9,926,416 to Sbriglia, porous ethylenetetrafluoroethylene (eETFE) as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 9,932,429 toSbriglia, porous polylactic acid (ePLLA) as taught in U.S. Pat. No.7,932,184 to Sbriglia, et al., porous vinylidenefluoride-co-tetrafluoroethylene or trifluoroethylene [VDF-co-(TFE orTrFE)] polymers as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 9,441,088 to Sbriglia andcopolymers and combinations thereof.

In at least one embodiment, the synthetic polymer membrane 118 is amicroporous synthetic polymer membrane 118, such as a microporousfluoropolymer membrane 118 having a node and fibril microstructure wherethe nodes are interconnected by the fibrils and the pores are the voidsor space located between the nodes and fibrils throughout the membrane.An exemplary node and fibril microstructure is described in U.S. Pat.No. 3,953,566 to Gore.

The microporous membranes 118 described herein may be differentiatedfrom other membranes or structures in that they have a specific surfacearea of greater than about 4.0 m²/cm³, greater than about 10 m²/cm³,greater than about 50 m²/cm³, greater than about 75 m²/cm³, and up to100 m²/cm³. In some embodiments, the specific surface area is from about4.0 m²/cm³ and 100 m²/cm³. Herein, specific surface area is defined onthe basis of skeletal volume, not envelope volume. In addition, themajority of the fibrils in the microporous synthetic polymer membrane118 have a diameter that is less than about 1.0 μm, or from about 0.1 μmto about 1.0 μm, from about 0.3 μm to about 1.0 μm, from about 0.5 μm toabout 1.0 μm, or from about 0.7 μm to about 1.0 μm. Additionally, themicroporous membranes 118 are thin, having a thickness less than about100 μm, less than about 75 μm, less than about 50 μm, less than about 35μm, less than about 25 μm, less than about 20 μm, less than about 10 μm,less than about 5 μm, or less than about 3 μm. In at least one exemplaryembodiment, the synthetic polymer membrane 118 is an expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane. Expandedpolytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes prepared in accordance withthe methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,566 to Gore, U.S. PatentPublication No. 2004/0173978 to Bowen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,729 toBacino et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,589 to Bacino, or U.S. Pat. No.5,183,545 to Branca et al. may be used herein.

In certain embodiments, the conductive trace 120 may be applied to theouter surface of the synthetic polymer membrane 118 (e.g., a non-poroussynthetic polymer membrane) to form the electronic panel 102. In someembodiments, the electrically conductive trace forms a monolithic (e.g.,continuous) coating on portions of the outer surface of the syntheticpolymer membrane 118. In at least one embodiment, a stencil having thedesired pattern is applied to the surface of the synthetic polymermembrane 118. Other forms of forming a pattern on the surface of asynthetic polymer membrane 118 known to those of skill in the art areconsidered to be within the purview of this disclosure. In exemplaryembodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane 118 is flat (i.e., planar)and contains no wrinkles when the electrically conductive material isapplied. The electrically conductive material (e.g., an electricallyconductive ink) is applied over the stencil such that once the stencilis removed, the electrically conductive material remains on thesynthetic polymer membrane 118 in the desired pattern, forming theelectrically conductive trace 120. The electrically conductive materialmay be applied such that the electrically conductive trace 120 ispositioned on at least a portion of the outer surface of the syntheticpolymer membrane 118 to form the electronic panel 102.

It is to be appreciated that the term “on” as used herein with respectto the electrically conductive trace 120 is meant to denote that thetrace is on the surface of the synthetic polymer membrane 118 (i.e., noelectrically conductive material is located in the pores of thesynthetic polymer membrane 118) or that the trace is substantiallylocated on the surface of the synthetic polymer membrane 118 (i.e., anegligible amount of an electrically conductive material may be locatedin the pores of the synthetic polymer membrane 118). “On” is also meantto denote that the electrically conductive trace 120 may be positioneddirectly on the substrate (with no intervening elements) or thatintervening elements may be present. Although not wishing to be bound bytheory, it is believed that the negligible penetration (e.g., a micron)of the electrically conductive material into the pores of the syntheticpolymer membrane 118 results in an improved adhesion of the electricallyconductive trace 120 to the surface of the synthetic polymer membrane118.

In another embodiment, the electrically conductive material (e.g.,electrically conductive ink) may be applied to a porous or microporoussynthetic polymer membrane 118 such that the conductive material isimbibed into the synthetic polymer membrane 118 to place theelectrically conductive material, and thus the electrically conductivetrace 120, within the synthetic polymer membrane 118 to form theelectronic panel 102.

“Imbibed” as used herein is meant to describe the inclusion and/ordeposition of an electrically conductive trace 120 into the existingpores or void spaces of a porous or microporous synthetic polymermembrane 118 via a liquid carrier (such as an electrically conductiveink) and specifically excludes filled membranes where the electricallyconductive trace 120 is an integral part of the synthetic polymermembrane 118 and which may have some exposed electrically conductivetrace 120 within a pore or void space. It is to be noted that any knownmethod of depositing electrically conductive material(s) into the poresor void spaces in a membrane may be utilized herein. In someembodiments, the electrically conductive trace 120 occupies the poresthrough the thickness of a porous or microporous synthetic polymermembrane 118.

As such, the electrically conductive trace 120 may occupy the majorityof the pore volume in the porous or microporous synthetic polymermembrane 118. In exemplary embodiments, the pores contain an amount ofelectrically conductive material that is sufficient to create anelectrically conductive trace 120 for the passage of electronstherethrough. The electrically conductive material may be applied to thesynthetic polymer membrane 118 by known deposition, coating methods, andimbibing methods such as, for example, screen printing, over-coating,pad printing, flexographic printing, ink jet printing, digital printing,and gravure printing to form the electrically conductive trace. Thesynthetic polymer membrane 118 having thereon or therein an electricallyconductive trace 120 is referred to herein as an electronic panel 102.

In order to impart stretch to the electronic panel 102, a syntheticpolymer membrane 118 with a conductive trace on and/or within thepolymer membrane may be positioned on a stretched substrate (e.g., anelastic textile) such that, when the stretched substrate (e.g., theelastic textile) is released and reverts to its relaxed, unstretchedstate, buckling of the synthetic polymer membrane 118 occurs out of theplane of the membrane, or in the “thickness” direction of the syntheticpolymer membrane 118, to introduce stretch into the electronic panel102. In certain instances, the electronic panel 102 is attached to theelastic substrate by a discontinuous adhesive. In certain examples, aninsulative overcoat is positioned over the electrically conductive trace120 to protect the electrically conductive trace 120 from externalforces. This planar compression of the electronic panel 102 storeslength in the synthetic polymer membrane 118. A variety of techniquesmay be used to introduce stretch into an electronic panel 102, such asby imparting stretch into a planar membrane (WO2016/135188 to Zaggl etal.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0167291 to Zaggl et al.; U.S. Pat.No. 5,026,513 to Flouse et al.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/183515to White; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/167547 to Jain; U.S. Pat. No.4,443,511 to Worden et al.; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/227165 toImai, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,011 to Dutta, et al.). Mechanical andnon-mechanical (e.g., thermal) processing techniques may be used.

One approach is to mechanically compress or buckle the electronic panel102 to wrinkle or produce out-of-plane structures within the electronicpanel 102. In exemplary embodiments, the compression is conducted on aplanar printed circuit. “Buckling” or a “buckled orientation” as usedherein is meant to describe an electronic panel 102 that showsout-of-plane structures, such as wrinkles, corrugations, or folds.Buckling may be introduced into the electronic panel 102 in one or twodirections. As used herein, “compressed in the x-y direction”, “x-ycompression”, or “x-y compressing” refers to the introduction of stretchinto the printed circuit via compression in one direction (i.e., “x”direction or “y” direction) or in both directions (i.e., “x” and “y”directions). The electronic panel 102 may be compressed in the “x” and“y” directions either sequentially or simultaneously.

In at least one embodiment, the compression is conducted in onedirection (e.g., “x” direction). The compression of the electronic panel102 in the “x” direction (e.g., in the membrane plane) may introduce“buckles” or structures that are out-of-plane (i.e., in the “z”direction). Such a process is generally disclosed in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2016/0167291 to Zaggl et al. in which a porous film isapplied onto a stretchable substrate in a stretched state such that areversible adhesion of the porous film on the stretched stretchablesubstrate occurs. The stretchable substrate is then relaxed with theapplied porous film thereon to obtain a structured or compacted porousfilm. In an alternative embodiment taught in, WO2016/135188 to Zaggl etal. a porous membrane having a node a fibril structure may be compressedsuch that there is little or no introduction of a substantial structurein the “z” direction (i.e., fibril compaction within the node and fibrilstructure).

The “buckles” or out-of-plane structures in the electronic panel 102 mayhave a height that is at least two times the thickness of thenon-compressed electronic panel 102. In addition, the height of theout-of-plane (i.e., z-direction) structures may range from about 2 μm toabout 2000 μm or from about 20 μm to about 1000 μm. Further, thestructure density in at least one direction is at least 1 buckle per mm,at least 2 buckles per mm, at least 3 buckles per mm, at least 4 bucklesper mm, at least 5 buckles per mm, at least 6 buckles per mm, at least 7buckles per mm, at least 8 buckles per mm, at least 9 buckles per mm, orat least 10 buckles per mm. In some embodiments, the structure densityis from 1 buckle per mm to 10 buckles per mm, from 1 buckle per mm to 7buckles per mm, from 1 buckle per mm to 5 buckles per mm, or from 1buckle per mm to 3 buckles per mm.

In certain embodiments, the electronic panel 102 may be a multi-layerpanel comprising one or more of textile, film, a combination or alaminate thereof. For example, the electronic panel 102 may be amulti-layer laminate comprising an outer textile layer (i.e., the layerthat faces the exterior when the laminate is made into a garment), amiddle film layer, and an inner textile layer (i.e., the layer that isinterior facing and/or body-contacting when the laminate is made into agarment). In some of these embodiments, the middle film layer may be amicroporous layer wherein the electrically conductive trace is withinthe microporous layer. In other embodiments, the electronic panel 102may be a two-layer laminate comprising an outer film layer (exteriorfacing) and an inner textile layer (interior facing and/or bodycontacting).

In certain examples, one or more electronic components 122 areelectrically coupled to the electrically conductive trace 120, which canthen be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing(e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with the subject 106that can be stored as data), collecting data, processing data, storingdata, transmitting data, providing power to the electronic panel 102 andits components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touch screen, amicrophone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic, audio,visual, and/or the like). Examples of electronic components 122 include,but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, a powersupply, a power switch, a sensor, an electronic circuit, an antenna, awireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface, a remotecontrol, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter, aspeaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, a temperatureregulating device, e.g., heating and/or cooling device, anaccelerometer, a strain gauge, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor,an ECG sensor, an EMG sensor, a charger, or a combination thereof.Additionally, or alternatively, one or more electronic components 122can be electrically coupled together via the electrically conductivetrace 120. For example, an electronic component 122A located on a firstarm 110 and the electronic component 122B located on a second arm 112,can be electrically and communicatively coupled to one another via theelectrically conductive trace 120. Similarly, an electronic component122C located on a first leg 114 and the electronic component 122Dlocated on a second leg 1146 can be electrically and communicativelycoupled to one another via the electrically conductive trace 120.

According to certain embodiments, one or more of the electroniccomponents such as for example those shown at 122 can be releasablycoupled to an electronic panel such as that shown at 102 via anelectrical connection 124. As such, one or more of the electroniccomponents 122 can be removed and/or replaced in the event it isdesirous to upgrade one or more of the electronic components 122 and/orone of the electronic components 122 fails. In at least someembodiments, the electrical connection 124 can be incorporated into afeature of the electronic panel 102 and/or garment 104, e.g., a zipper,a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a pocket, or acombination thereof. According to certain embodiments, the term“releasably coupled” as used herein is meant to describe an electricaland/or informational connection between at least a first electricalcomponent and a second electrical component that can be repeatedly(e.g., more than once) connected and disconnected. The connection canfacilitate the transfer of electricity or electrical/data signalsbetween two or more components and can be any of the known connections.Known connections can include, for example, but are not limited to, USB,mini-USB, USB-C, POGO, MAG-Safe, ethernet, SATA, Firewire, serialconnectors. The connectors may or may not be waterproof.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 102 and/or thegarment 104 can include one or more housings 126 one or more of theelectronic components 122. In certain instances, the housing 126 can belocated: proximal a distal portion of the electronic panel 102 and/orgarment 104 (e.g., one or more of the distal portions 110, 112, 114,and/or 116) as shown by housing 126A and/or arranged away from a distalportion of the electronic panel 102 and/or garment 104 as shown byhousing 126B. In at least some embodiments, the housing 126 can beincorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 102 and/or garment104, e.g., a collar.

According to certain embodiments, data (e.g., sensed data) can betransmitted from the electronic panel 102 and/or the electroniccomponent 122 to one or more computing devices 128 (e.g., a laptopand/or desktop computer 128A and/or a mobile device 128B) and from oneor more computing devices 128 to the electronic panel 102 and/or theelectronic component 122 via a communication link (not shown). Incertain embodiments, the computing devices 128 can process and/or storedata sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 102 and/or theelectronic component 122. Additionally, or alternatively, data can besent to and received from one or more servers 130 via a communicationlink and network 132, which can then process and/or store data sensedand/or collected by the electronic panel 102 and/or the electroniccomponent 122.

In certain instances, the data sensed and/or collected by electronicpanel 102 and processed by the electronic panel 102 and/or by thecomputing device 128 and/or server 130 may facilitate determiningvarious biometrics parameters for the subject. For example, in certainembodiments, the data collected and/or sensed by the electronic panelmay indicate how often the subject 106 is moving in a particular manner.Additionally, or alternatively, the data collected by electronic panel102 can be used to determine whether the subject 106 is moving in amanner that is likely to lead to injury and/or is moving in a mannerthat indicates the subject 106 is operating at a reduced capacity. Incertain embodiments, determining whether the subject 106 is moving in amanner that is likely to lead to injury and/or is moving in a mannerthat indicates the subject 106 is operating at a reduced capacity may bebased upon comparing the movement data of the subject 106 to movementdata from other healthy subjects. And, if the movement data of thesubject 106 varies from the movement data from other healthy subjects bya threshold, the electronic panel 102, the computing device 128, and/orserver 130 may determine the subject 106 is moving in a manner that islikely to lead to injury and/or is moving in a manner that indicates thesubject 106 is operating at a reduced capacity

In certain embodiments, a notification can be provided to the subject106 via a user interface of the electronic panel 102, the computingdevice 128 and/or server 130 about how the subject 106 is moving, howoften the subject 106 is moving in a particular manner, and/or whetherthe frequency of the movement and/or manner of movement has or will leadto injury.

As another example, the data collected and/or sensed by the electronicpanel may indicate one or more biometric parameters, for example, thetemperature of the subject 106, the pulse rate of the subject 106, theblood pressure of the subject 106, the oxygen saturation of the subject106, other cardiac and/or respiratory parameters of the subject 106.Similarly, notifications pertaining to any of these parameters can beprovided to the subject 106 via a user interface of the electronic panel102, the computing device 128 and/or server 130.

In certain embodiments, the communication link may be, or include, awired link (e.g., a link accomplished via a physical connection) and/ora wireless communication link such as, for example, a short-range radiolink, such as Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, near-field communication (NFC),WiFi, a proprietary wireless protocol, and/or the like. The term“communication link” may refer to an ability to communicate some type ofinformation in at least one direction between at least two devices, andshould not be understood to be limited to a direct, persistent, orotherwise limited communication channel. That is, according toembodiments, the communication link may be a persistent communicationlink, an intermittent communication link, an ad-hoc communication link,and/or the like. The communication link may refer to directcommunications between the electronic panel 102, the electroniccomponent 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130, and/orindirect communications that travel between the electronic panel 102,the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or theserver 130 via at least one other device (e.g., a repeater, router, hub,and/or the like). The communication link may facilitate uni-directionaland/or bi-directional communication between the electronic panel 102,the electronic component 122, the computing devices 128, and/or theserver 130. Data and/or control signals may be transmitted between theelectronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computingdevices 128, and/or the server 130 to coordinate the functions of theelectronic panel 102, the electronic component 122, the computingdevices 128, and/or the server 130. In certain embodiments, data may bedownloaded from one or more of the electronic panel 102, the electroniccomponent 122, the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130periodically or on command. In certain instances, the subject maycommunicate with the electronic panel 102, the electronic component 122,the computing devices 128, and/or the server 130, for example, toacquire data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 102 and/orthe electronic component 122, or to initiate, terminate and/or modifyrecording and/or therapy.

Additional details regarding the computing devices 128 and the server130 are provided in FIGS. 9-10B below.

FIGS. 2A-B is an example of an electronic panel 202 incorporated into agarment 204. In particular, FIG. 2A illustrates the back of the garment204 including a portion of the electronic panel 202 and FIG. 2Billustrates the front of the garment 204 including another portion ofthe electronic panel 202. In addition, FIG. 3 is an example of theelectronic panel 202 illustrated in FIGS. 2A-B decoupled from thegarment 204, according to at least one embodiment.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 202 can have thesame or similar characteristics as the electronic panel 102 and/or thegarment 204 can have the same or similar characteristics as the garment104. For example, according to certain embodiments, the electronic panel202 and/or the garment 204 can be a textile fabric, a film, amicroporous membrane, or other suitable substrates, which independentlymay or may not have some degree of elasticity, or a laminate thereof.

As illustrated, the garment 204 can be a long sleeve shirt and includesmultiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A′, A″, and/or A′″). Similarto the electronic panel 102, the electronic panel 202 can be a unitarypanel that, along with panel pieces A′, A″, A′″, form the garment 204.In these embodiments, the electronic panel 202 is attached to one ormore panels pieces A′, A″, A′″ at or near the perimeter of each panelpiece and forms a portion of the garment 204. In aspects, individualpanel pieces A′, A″, A′″ and the electronic panel 202 that form thegarment 204 may be attached to each other by a seam. For example, theelectronic panel 202 can be coupled to the individual panel pieces by atleast one seam 206 that extends around at least a portion of theperimeter of the electronic panel 202. Because the electronic panel 202can be unitary and is attached to more than one panel piece A′, A″,and/or A′″ of the garment 204, electrical connections couplingelectronic panels that are associated with each panel piece A′, A″,and/or A′″ are not required. An electrically conductive trace (e.g., theelectrically conductive trace 218 discussed below) can allow theconnection of one or more electrical components adjacent to multipleportions of the garment 204, for example, adjacent to panel pieces A′,A″, and/or A′″, by extending along a portion of a length of theelectronic panel 202 and/or along an entirety of the length of theelectronic panel 202. Additionally, or alternatively, an electricallyconductive trace (e.g., the electrically conductive trace 218 discussedbelow) can allow the connection of one or more electrical componentsadjacent to multiple panel pieces A′, A″, and/or A′″ by extending alonga portion of a width of the electronic panel 202 and/or along anentirety of the width of the electronic panel 202. As such, theelectronic panel 202 and the functionality thereof can be associatedwith multiple panel pieces A′, A″, and/or A′″.

In aspects, the electronic panel 202 can be an electronic panel that isdevoid of any seams and extends between and/or is attached to more thanone panel piece A′, A″, and/or A′″ of the garment 204. In certaininstances, the electronic panel 202 is devoid of any seams extendinglaterally across a portion of the electronic panel 202, i.e., extendingacross a portion of the width of the electronic panel 202. Additionally,or alternatively, in certain instances, the electronic panel 202 isdevoid of any seams extending longitudinally across a portion of theelectronic panel 202, i.e., extending across a portion of the length ofthe electronic panel 202.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 202 is sewn,applied, and/or adhered to the other panel pieces A′, A″, A′″ to formthe garment 204. In certain embodiments, the electronic panel 202 isattached to multiple panels A′, A″, A′″ by extending from a firstappendage of the garment 204 to a second appendage of the garment 204,for example a distal portion of a first arm portion 208 to a distalportion of a second arm portion 210. In certain instances, the distalportion of the first arm portion 208 may be referred to herein as afirst distal portion of a first arm portion 208, the distal portion of asecond arm portion 210 may be referred to herein as a second distalportion of a second arm portion 210, and, collectively, the distalportion of the first arm portion 208 and the distal portion of a secondarm portion 210 may be referred to herein as distal arm portions 208,210.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 202 can include alaterally elongated portion 212 at one or more of the distal armportions 208, 210, which circumferentially wraps around at least aportion of one or both of the distal arm portions 208, 210. In certaininstances, the laterally elongated portion 212 may form a cuff of thegarment 204. By including a laterally elongated portion 212 that wrapsaround at least a portion of the distal arm portions 208, 210, theelectronic panel 202 may be provide a relatively tight fit around one ormore arms of the wearer of the garment 204, which can facilitateaccurate readings by one or more sensors incorporated into theelectronic panel 202. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronicpanel 202 can include a laterally elongated portion 212 arranged at adistance from one or more of the distal arm portions 208, 210, whichcircumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of thearm portions of a wearer of the garment 204. Additionally, oralternatively, the electronic panel 202 can include a laterallyelongated portion 212 which circumferentially wraps around a portion ofa wearer of the garment 204 other than one or both of the arm portionsof a wearer of the garment 204.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 202 extends froma back central portion 214 of the garment 204 to the distal portion ofthe first arm 208 and/or to the distal portion of the second arm 210.Due to the electronic panel 202 extending from a central portion 214 ofthe garment 204 to one or more distal arm portions 208, 210, theelectronic panel 202 may be able to better sense movement of a wearer'sarm(s) in relation to the wearer's torso, which can better indicatewhether the user is likely to be injured and/or the user's movement iscompensating for an injury. Additionally, or alternatively, by beinglocated proximal to a central portion 214 of the garment 204, moreaccurate biometric readings may be taken, such as pulse rate, bloodpressure, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and/or other cardiacand/or respiratory parameters.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 202 includes asynthetic polymer membrane 216 and an electrically conductive trace 218.According to certain embodiments, the electrically conductive trace 218can include multiple electrically conductive traces 218. In certainembodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane 216 and the electricallyconductive trace 218 can partially or fully span the electronic panel202. Accordingly, the electrically conductive trace 218 can be adjacentto multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A′, A″, and/or A′″) andprovide an electrical connection at various portions of the garment.

In certain examples, one or more electronic components 220 areelectrically coupled to the electrically conductive trace 218, which canthen be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing(e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of thegarment 204 that can be stored as data), collecting data, processingdata, storing data, transmitting data, providing power to the electronicpanel 202 and its components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touchscreen, a microphone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic,audio, visual, and/or the like). Examples of electronic components 220include, but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, apower supply, a power switch (e.g., power switch 220A), a sensor (e.g.,sensor 220B), an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wireless transmitter,a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface 220C), aremote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter,a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, a charger,or a combination thereof. Additionally, or alternatively, one or moreelectronic components 220 can be electrically coupled together via theelectrically conductive trace 218. For example, even though theelectronic component 220C is located at a first distal portion of afirst arm 208 and the electronic component 220B is located at on aportion of the second arm, they can be electrically and communicativelycoupled to one another via the electrically conductive trace 218.

According to certain embodiments, one or more of the electroniccomponents 220 can be releasably coupled to the electronic panel 202 viaan electrical connection 222. As such, one or more of the electroniccomponents 220 can be removed and/or replaced in the event it isdesirous to upgrade one or more of the electronic components 220 and/orone of the electronic components 220 fails. In at least someembodiments, the electrical connection 222 can be incorporated into afeature of the electronic panel 202 and/or garment 204, e.g., a zipper,a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a button, a pocket, or acombination thereof.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 202 and/or thegarment 204 can include one or more housing 224 for housing one or moreof the electronic components 220. In certain instances, the housing 224can be located: proximal a distal portion of the electronic panel 202and/or garment 204 (e.g., one or more of the distal portions 208 and/or210) as shown by housing 224A and/or arranged away from a distal portionof the electronic panel 202 and/or a distal portion of garment 204 asshown by housing 224B. In at least some embodiments, the housing 224 canbe incorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 202 and/orgarment 204, e.g., a collar.

According to certain embodiments, data (e.g., sensed data) can betransmitted from the electronic panel 202 and/or the electroniccomponent 220 to one or more computing devices (e.g., a laptop and/ordesktop computer 128A and/or a mobile device 128B) and from one or morecomputing devices to the electronic panel 202 and/or the electroniccomponent 220 via a communication link (not shown). In certainembodiments, the computing devices can process and/or store data sensedand/or collected by the electronic panel 202 and/or the electroniccomponent 220. Additionally, or alternatively, data can be sent to andreceived from one or more servers (e.g., server 130) via a communicationlink and network (e.g., network 132), which can then process and/orstore data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 202 and/orthe electronic component 220.

FIGS. 4A-B is another example of an electronic panel 302 incorporatedinto a garment 304, according to at least one embodiment. According tocertain embodiments, the electronic panel 302 can have the same orsimilar characteristics as the electronic panel 102 and/or 202 and/orthe garment 304 can have the same or similar characteristics as thegarment 104 and/or 204. For example, according to certain embodiments,the electronic panel 302 and/or the garment 304 can be a textile fabric,a film, a microporous membrane, or other suitable substrates, whichindependently may or may not have some degree of elasticity, or alaminate thereof.

As illustrated, the garment 304 is a pair of pants and includes multiplepanel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A′ and/or A″). Similar to theelectronic panels 102 and/or 202, the electronic panel 302 can be aunitary panel that, along with panels A′, A″, form the garment 304. Inthese embodiments, the electronic panel 302 is attached to one or morepanels pieces A′, A″ at or near the perimeter of each panel piece andforms a portion of the garment 304. In aspects, individual panel piecesA′, A″ and the electronic panel 302 that form the garment 304 may beattached to each other by a seam. For example, the electronic panel 302can be coupled to the individual panel pieces by at least one seam 306that extends around at least a portion of the perimeter of theelectronic panel 302. Because the electronic panel 302 can be unitaryand is attached to more than one panel piece A′ and/or A″ of the garment304, electrical connections coupling electronic panels that areassociated with each panel piece A′ and/or A″ are not required. Anelectrically conductive trace (e.g., the electrically conductive trace318 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electricalcomponents adjacent to multiple portions of the garment 304, forexample, panel pieces A′ and/or A″, by extending along a portion of alength of the electronic panel 302 and/or along an entirety of thelength of the electronic panel 302. Additionally, or alternatively, anelectrically conductive trace (e.g., the electrically conductive trace318 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electricalcomponents adjacent to multiple panel pieces A′ and/or A″ by extendingalong a portion of a width of the electronic panel 302 and/or along anentirety of the width of the electronic panel 302. As such, theelectronic panel 302 and the functionality thereof can be associatedadjacent to multiple panel pieces A′ and/or A″.

In aspects, the electronic panel 302 can be an electronic panel that isdevoid of any seams and extends between and/or is attached to more thanone panel piece A′ and/or A″ of the garment 304. In certain instances,the electronic panel 302 is devoid of any seams extending laterallyacross a portion of the electronic panel 302, i.e., extending across aportion of the width of the electronic panel 302. Additionally, oralternatively, in certain instances, the electronic panel 302 is devoidof any seams extending longitudinally across a portion of the electronicpanel 302, i.e., extending across a portion of the length of theelectronic panel 302.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 302 is sewn,applied, and/or adhered to other panel pieces A′, A″ to form the garment304. In certain embodiments, the electronic panel 302 is attached tomultiple panels by extending from a distal portion of a first legportion 308 to a distal portion of a second leg portion 310. In certaininstances, the distal portion of the first leg portion 308 may bereferred to herein as a first distal portion of a first leg portion 308,the distal portion of a second leg portion 310 may be referred to hereinas a second distal portion of a second leg portion 310, and,collectively, the distal portion of the first leg portion 308 and thedistal portion of a second leg portion 310 may be referred to herein asdistal leg portions 308, 310.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 302 can include alaterally elongated portion 312A at one or more of the distal legportions 308, 310, which circumferentially wraps around at least aportion of one or both of the distal leg portions 308, 310. In certaininstances, the laterally elongated portion 312A may form a leg cuff ofthe garment 304. By including a laterally elongated portion 312 thatwraps around at least a portion of the distal leg portions 308, 310, theelectronic panel 302 may provide a relatively tight fit around one ormore legs of the wearer of the garment 304, which can facilitateaccurate readings by one or more sensors incorporated into theelectronic panel 302. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronicpanel 302 can include a laterally elongated portion 312B arranged at adistance from one or more of the distal leg portions 308, 310, whichcircumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one or both of theleg portions of a wearer of the garment 304. Additionally, oralternatively, the electronic panel 302 can include a laterallyelongated portion 312 which circumferentially wraps around a portion ofa wearer of the garment 304 other than one or both of the leg portionsof a wearer of the garment 304.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 302 extends froma back central portion 314′ (and/or a front central portion 314″) of thegarment 304 to the distal portion of the first leg 308 and/or to thedistal portion of the second leg 310. Due to the electronic panel 302extending from a central portion 314 of the garment 304 to one or moredistal leg portions 308, 310, the electronic panel 302 may be able tobetter sense movement of a wearer's leg(s) in relation to the wearer'ships, which can better indicate whether the user is likely to be injuredand/or the user's movement is compensating for an injury. Additionally,or alternatively, by being located proximal to a central portion 314 ofthe garment 304, more accurate physiological parameters may be sensed.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 302 includes asynthetic polymer membrane 316 and an electrically conductive trace 318.According to certain embodiments, the electrically conductive trace 318can include multiple electrically conductive traces 318. In certainembodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane 316 and the electricallyconductive trace 318 can partially or fully span the electronic panel302. Accordingly, the electrically conductive trace 318 can be adjacentto multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A′ and/or A″) and providean electrical connection at various portions of the garment.

In certain examples, one or more electronic components 320 areelectrically coupled to the electrically conductive trace 318, which canthen be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing(e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of thegarment 304 that can be stored as data), collecting data, processingdata, storing data, transmitting data, providing power to the electronicpanel 302 and its components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touchscreen, a microphone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic,audio, visual, and/or the like). Examples of electronic components 320include, but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, apower supply, a power switch (e.g., power switch 320A), a sensor (e.g.,sensors 320B and/or 320C), an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wirelesstransmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface320D), a remote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audiotransmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heatingelement, a charger, or a combination thereof. Additionally, oralternatively, one or more electronic components 320 can be electricallycoupled together via the electrically conductive trace 318. For example,even though the electronic component 320B is located at a first distalportion of a first leg 308 and the electronic component 320C is locatedat on a portion of the second leg 310, they can be electrically andcommunicatively coupled to one another via the electrically conductivetrace 318.

According to certain embodiments, one or more of the electroniccomponents 320 can be releasably coupled to the electronic panel 302 viaan electrical connection 322. As such, one or more of the electroniccomponents 320 can be removed and/or replaced in the event it isdesirous to upgrade one or more of the electronic components 320 and/orone of the electronic components 320 fails. In some embodiments, the oneor more electronic components 320 are releasably coupled to theelectronic panel 302 via a male/female connector. Additionally, oralternatively, the electrical connection 322 can be incorporated into afeature of the electronic panel 302 and/or garment 304, e.g., a zipper,a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a pocket, or acombination thereof.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 302 and/or thegarment 304 can include one or more housings 324 for one or more of theelectronic components 320. In certain instances, the compartment 324 canbe located: proximal a distal portion of the electronic panel 302 and/orgarment 304 (e.g., one or more of the distal portions 308 and/or 310)and/or arranged away from a distal portion of the electronic panel 302and/or a distal portion of garment 304 as shown by housing 324. In atleast some embodiments, the housing 324 can be incorporated into afeature of the electronic panel 302 and/or garment 304, e.g., a waistband.

According to certain embodiments, data (e.g., sensed data) can betransmitted from the electronic panel 302 and/or the electroniccomponent 320 to one or more computing devices (e.g., a laptop and/ordesktop computer 128A and/or a mobile device 128B) and from one or morecomputing devices to the electronic panel 302 and/or the electroniccomponent 320 via a communication link (not shown). In certainembodiments, the computing devices can process and/or store data sensedand/or collected by the electronic panel 302 and/or the electroniccomponent 320. Additionally, or alternatively, data can be sent to andreceived from one or more servers (e.g., server 130) via a communicationlink and network (e.g., network 132), which can then process and/orstore data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 302 and/orthe electronic component 320.

FIGS. 5A-B is yet another example of an electronic panel 402incorporated into a garment 404, according to at least one embodiment.According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 402 can have thesame or similar characteristics as the electronic panel 102, 202, and/or302 and/or the garment 404 can have the same or similar characteristicsas the garment 104, 204, and/or 304. For example, according to certainembodiments, the electronic panel 402 and/or the garment 404 can be atextile fabric, a film, a microporous membrane, or other suitablesubstrates, which independently may or may not have some degree ofelasticity, or a laminate thereof.

As illustrated, the garment 404 is a one-piece coverall garment andincludes multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A′, A″). As usedherein, a one-piece coverall garment means a single garment comprising atrouser-like portion and a top portion with or without long sleeves.Similar to the electronic panels 102, 202, and/or 302, the electronicpanel 402 can be a unitary panel that, along with, for example, panelsA′, A″, form the garment 404. In these embodiments, the electronic panel402 is attached to one or more panels pieces, for example, A′, A″ at ornear the perimeter of each panel piece and forms a portion of thegarment 404. In aspects, individual panel pieces A′, A″ and theelectronic panel 402 that form the garment 404 may be attached to eachother by a sewn seam. For example, the electronic panel 402 can becoupled to the individual panel pieces by at least one seam 406 thatextends around at least a portion of the perimeter of the electronicpanel 402. Because the electronic panel 402 can be unitary and isattached to more than one panel piece A′ and/or A″ of the garment 404,electrical connections coupling electronic panels that are associatedeach panel piece A′, A″ are not required. An electrically conductivetrace (e.g., the electrically conductive trace 418 discussed below) canallow the connection of one or more electrical components adjacent tomultiple panel pieces A′ and/or A′ by extending along a portion of alength of the electronic panel 402 and/or along an entirety of thelength of the electronic panel 402. Additionally, or alternatively, anelectrically conductive trace (e.g., the electrically conductive trace418 discussed below) can allow the connection of one or more electricalcomponents adjacent to multiple panel pieces A′ and/or A″ by extendingalong a portion of a width of the electronic panel 402 and/or along anentirety of the width of the electronic panel 402. As such, theelectronic panel 402 and the functionality thereof can be associatedadjacent to multiple panel pieces used to form the garment, for example,panel pieces A′ and/or A″.

In aspects, the electronic panel 402 can be an electronic panel that isdevoid of any seams and extends between and/or is attached to more thanone panel piece A′ and/or A″ of the garment 404. In certain instances,the electronic panel 402 is devoid of any seams extending laterallyacross a portion of the electronic panel 402, i.e., extending across aportion of the width of the electronic panel 402. Additionally, oralternatively, in certain instances, the electronic panel 402 is devoidof any seams extending longitudinally across a portion of the electronicpanel 402, i.e., extending across a portion of the length of theelectronic panel 402.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 402 is sewn,applied, and/or adhered to panel pieces A′, A″ to form the garment 404.In certain embodiments, the electronic panel 402 can span multiplepanels and include a trunk extension portion 408 extending from thefront or back trunk portion of the one-piece coverall garment 404 to atleast one leg extension portion 411. In aspects, the leg extensionportion 411 extends from a distal portion of the trunk extension portion409 to a distal portion of at least one of a leg portion 410 of theone-piece garment 404.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 402 can include alaterally elongated portion 412A at one or more of a distal leg portions410, which circumferentially wraps around at least a portion of one orboth of the distal leg portions 410. In certain instances, the laterallyelongated portion 412A may form a leg cuff of the garment 404. Byincluding a laterally elongated portion 412 that wraps around at least aportion of the distal leg portions 410, the electronic panel 402 may beprovide a relatively tight fit around one or more legs of the wearer ofthe garment 404, which can facilitate accurate readings by one or moresensors incorporated into the electronic panel 402. Additionally, oralternatively, the electronic panel 402 can include a laterallyelongated portion 412B arranged at a distance from one or more of thedistal leg portions 410, which circumferentially wraps around at least aportion of one or both of the leg portions of a wearer of the garment404. Additionally, or alternatively, the electronic panel 402 caninclude a laterally elongated portion 412C at one or more of the distalarm portions 413, which circumferentially wraps around at least aportion of one or both of the distal arm portions 413. Additionally, oralternatively, the electronic panel 402 can include a laterallyelongated portion 412 which circumferentially wraps around a portion ofa wearer of the garment 404 other than one or both of the leg portionsand/or arm portions of a wearer of the garment 404.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic panel 402 extends froma back central portion 414′ (and/or a front central portion 414″ (notillustrated)) of the garment 404 to the one or more distal leg portions410 and/or to one or more distal arm portions 413. Due to the electronicpanel 402 extending from a central portion 414 of the garment 404 to oneor more distal leg portions 410 and/or one or more distal arm portions413, the electronic panel 402 may be able to better sense movement of awearer's leg(s) and/or arm(s) in relation to the wearer's torso, whichcan better indicate whether the user is likely to be injured and/or theuser's movement is compensating for an injury. Additionally, oralternatively, by the electronic panel 402 being located proximal to acentral portion 414 of the garment 404, more accurate physiologicalparameters may be sensed.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 402 includes asynthetic polymer membrane 416 and an electrically conductive trace 418.According to certain embodiments, the electrically conductive trace 418can include multiple electrically conductive traces 418. In certainembodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane 416 and the electricallyconductive trace 418 can partially or fully span the electronic panel402. Accordingly, the electrically conductive trace 418 can be adjacentto multiple panel pieces (e.g., panel pieces A′ and/or A″) and providean electrical connection at various portions of the garment.

In certain examples, one or more electronic components 420 areelectrically coupled to the electrically conductive trace 418, which canthen be used to provide one or more of the following functions: sensing(e.g., sensing one or more parameters associated with a wearer of thegarment 404 that can be stored as data), collecting data, processingdata, storing data, transmitting data, providing power to the electronicpanel 402 and its components, providing a user interface (e.g., a touchscreen, a microphone), and/or providing feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic,audio, visual, and/or the like). Examples of electronic components 420include, but are not limited to, the following: a computing device, apower supply, a power switch (e.g., power switch 420A), a sensor (e.g.,sensors 420B and/or 420C), an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wirelesstransmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface (e.g., user interface420D), a remote control, a display device, a touch screen, an audiotransmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heatingelement, a charger, or a combination thereof. Additionally, oralternatively, one or more electronic components 420 can be electricallycoupled together via the electrically conductive trace 418. For example,even though the electronic component 420B is located at a first distalportion of a first leg 410 and the electronic component 420C is locatedat on a portion of a first arm 413, they can be electrically andcommunicatively coupled to one another via the electrically conductivetrace 418.

According to certain embodiments, one or more of the electroniccomponents 420 can be releasably coupled to the electronic panel 402 viaan electrical connection 422. As such, one or more of the electroniccomponents 420 can be removed and/or replaced in the event it isdesirous to upgrade one or more of the electronic components 420 and/orone of the electronic components 420 fails. In at least someembodiments, the electrical connection 422 can be incorporated into afeature of the electronic panel 402 and/or garment 404, e.g., a zipper,a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, a pocket, or acombination thereof.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 402 and/or thegarment 404 can include one or more housings 424 for one or more of theelectronic components 420. In certain instances, the housing 424 can belocated: proximal a distal portion of the electronic panel 402 and/orgarment 404 (e.g., one or more of the distal portions 410 and/or 413)and/or arranged away from a distal portion of the electronic panel 402and/or a distal portion of garment 404 as shown by housing 424. In atleast some embodiments, the housing 424 can be incorporated into afeature of the electronic panel 402 and/or garment 404, e.g., a waistband, a collar, etc.

According to certain embodiments, data (e.g., sensed data) can betransmitted from the electronic panel 402 and/or the electroniccomponent 420 to one or more computing devices (e.g., a laptop and/ordesktop computer 128A and/or a mobile device 128B) and from one or morecomputing devices to the electronic panel 402 and/or the electroniccomponent 420 via a communication link (not shown). In certainembodiments, the computing devices can process and/or store data sensedand/or collected by the electronic panel 402 and/or the electroniccomponent 420. Additionally, or alternatively, data can be sent to andreceived from one or more servers (e.g., server 130) via a communicationlink and network (e.g., network 132), which can then process and/orstore data sensed and/or collected by the electronic panel 402 and/orthe electronic component 420.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-F, in some embodiments, to produce an electronicpanel 600 (e.g., electronic panel 102, 202, 302, 402 and/or 502)including a conductive trace 670 and a synthetic polymer membrane 660 ona stretchable substrate 610. In some embodiments, a stretchablesubstrate 610 is first stretched in the direction of arrows 615 (e.g.,x-direction) prior to the application of the conductive trace containingpolymer membrane 650 as shown in FIG. 6B. As used herein, the term“stretchable” is meant to denote a material that can be pulled in one ormore directions, but when it is released, the material returns orsubstantially returns to its original shape. In addition, thestretchable substrate 610 has thereon a discontinuous adhesive, such asthermoplastic adhesive or thermoset adhesive. The adhesive may beapplied in a pattern by a gravure printer in the form of adhesive dots620, such as is shown in FIG. 6A. It is to be appreciated that thepattern of the adhesive on the stretchable substrate 610 is not limitedso long as the discontinuous adhesion of the conductive trace containingpolymer membrane 650 (or a continuous adhesion on the conductive tracecontaining polymer membrane 650) permits the conductive trace containingpolymer membrane 650 to be compressed in the x- and/or −y direction andbuckle in the z-direction. Thus, other patterns, such as grids orparallel lines are considered to be within the purview of the inventionso long as the electronic panel compresses in the x- and/or y-directionand buckles in the z-direction.

In some embodiments, the conductive trace containing polymer membrane650 is discontinuously attached to the stretched substrate 610 by anadhesive, e.g., a thermoplastic adhesive, in its stretched state. Thestretchable substrate may be stretched to 1.25 times, 1.5 times, 1.7times, 2 times, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, 6 times, 7 times, 8 times, 9times, or 10 times its original, relaxed length (or more), depending onthe elasticity of the stretchable substrate. In some embodiments, thestretchable substrate 610 is stretched until the elastic limit of thesubstrate is reached.

Once the stretchable substrate 610 is stretched to its desired amount,the conductive trace containing polymer membrane 650 containing thesynthetic polymer membrane 660 and conductive trace 670 is positionedover the stretched substrate 610 and is attached to the stretchedsubstrate 610 via the adhesive dots 620 previously attached to thestretchable substrate 610, as is shown in FIG. 6B. It is to beappreciated that the conductive trace 670 may be positioned such that itfaces away from the stretched substrate 610 as depicted in FIG. 6B, orthe conductive trace 670 may be positioned such that it faces towardsthe stretched substrate (not depicted). The stretchable substrate 610having thereon the conductive trace containing polymer membrane 650 isthen allowed to return to its non-stretched (i.e., relaxed) state in thedirection of arrows 625, as depicted in FIG. 6C, thereby compressing theconductive trace containing polymer membrane 650 in the x-direction andbuckling the membrane in the z-plane to form out-of-plane structures(e.g., wrinkles, corrugations, or folds).

The conductive trace containing polymer membrane 650 demonstratesout-of-plane geometries such as wrinkles or folds in the z-direction inthe synthetic polymer membrane such as, but not limited to, thosedescribed in conjunction with the methods set forth in EP3061598 A1 toZaggl et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 9,849,629 to Zaggl, et al. In suchembodiments, the synthetic polymer membrane has a buckled orientation.Examples of stretchable substrates that may be used include, but are notlimited to, a stretchable textile or fabric, a stretchable nonwovenmaterial, or a stretchable membrane. The electronic panel 600 formed inFIG. 6C illustrates an embodiment where the conductive trace 670 hasbeen applied to the surface of the synthetic polymer membrane 660, suchas by printing the trace 670 on the synthetic polymer membrane 660 andbeen allowed to retract to its relaxed configuration in the direction ofarrows 625. It can be seen in FIG. 6C that the conductive trace 670 andsynthetic polymer membrane 660 have a buckled orientation, with discreteadhesion points to the stretchable substrate 610 at the adhesive dots620. This buckling permits the conductive trace containing polymermembrane 650 to move with the stretchable substrate 610 as it isstretched in one or more directions without breaking the conductivity inthe conductive trace 670.

In some embodiments, conductive trace containing polymer membranes 650,651, each having a synthetic polymer membrane 660 and a conductive trace670, may be applied to both sides of the stretched substrate 610 (i.e.,stretched in the direction of arrows 615) as shown in FIG. 6D. In otherwords, conductive trace containing polymer membrane 650 may bepositioned on one side of the stretched substrate 610 and conductivetrace containing polymer membrane 651 may be positioned on the opposingside of the stretched substrate 610. Similar to the embodiment depictedin FIG. 6C, the stretched substrate 610 is allowed to return to isnon-stretched, relaxed state in the direction of arrows 625, therebycompressing the conductive trace containing polymer membranes 650, 651in the x-direction and buckling the synthetic polymer membranes 660 inthe z-plane to form out-of-plane structures (e.g., wrinkles,corrugations, or folds) as shown in FIG. 6E. It is to be noted that thesynthetic polymer membranes 660 and the conductive traces 670 in theconductive trace containing polymer membranes 650, 651 may be the sameor different from each other.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6F, an electrically conductivetrace 670 and an electrically conductive trace 671 may be locatedopposing sides of the synthetic polymer membrane 660, forming a portionof the electronic panel 600. As depicted in FIG. 6G, an electricallyconductive trace 670 is positioned on one side of the synthetic polymermembrane 660 and electrically conductive trace 671 is positioned on theopposing side of the synthetic polymer membrane 660 and verticalinterconnect accesses (VIA) 675 allow the electrically conductive traces670, 671 to communicate electrically with each other, and formconductive trace containing polymer membrane 680. The VIAs 675 may beformed by creating a through hole in the synthetic polymer membrane andfilling the hole with electrically conductive material. Alternatively,the VIA may be formed by imbibing the electrically conductive materialthrough the thickness of the porous synthetic polymer membrane, withoutthe need to first create a through hole. It is to be noted thatelectrically conductive traces 670, 671 may be the same or differentfrom each other.

In some embodiments, the stretchable substrate 610 can be stretched upto 50% strain of the original, relaxed configuration of the stretchablesubstrate while maintaining conductivity. In other words, the resistanceof the electronic panel remains substantially unchanged as theelectronic panel is elongated to 50% strain. That is, the resistance ofthe electronic panel remains substantially unchanged as the electronicpanel is elongated to 50% strain. For example, if the electronic panelwas 10 mm, it could be stretched to a length of 15 mm without loss orsignificant loss of resistance.

In other embodiments, the electronic panels have negligible resistancechange when stretched up to 100% or even greater than 100% of theoriginal, relaxed configuration of the stretchable substrate. Thecorrugations or buckling allow the conductive trace to stretch freely inone or more directions with nearly the same characteristics as thestretch textile without an electronic panel thereon.

In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 7A, the electricallyconductive trace is imbibed into the synthetic polymer membrane 710,forming the conductive trace containing polymer membrane 750. It is tobe noted that the structure of the electronic panel 700 is the same asthat shown in FIGS. 6A-6C with the exception that the conductive tracehas been imbibed into the synthetic polymer membrane 710 and as such, isnot separately depicted. It is to be appreciated that some amount ofconductive material may remain on the surface or on portions of thesurface of the synthetic polymer membrane as a consequence of theimbibing process. The conductive trace containing polymer membrane 750,which includes the synthetic polymer membrane 710 containing therein theconductive trace, has a buckled configuration on the stretchablesubstrate 730 when the stretchable substrate 730 is in its relaxed(non-stretched) state. The conductive trace containing polymer membrane750 is discretely attached to the stretchable substrate 730 by adhesivedots 720 (e.g., thermoplastic or thermoset adhesive dots). The bucklingof the synthetic polymer membrane 710 in the z-plane permits theconductive trace containing polymer membrane 750 to move with thestretchable substrate 730 as it is stretched in one or more directionswithout breaking the conductivity in the conductive trace. In anotherembodiment depicted in FIG. 7B, conductive trace containing polymermembranes 750, 751, each having therein conductive trace, are eachapplied to opposite sides of the substrate 730 by discrete adhesive dots720. The buckling of the synthetic polymer membranes 710, 715 in thez-plane permits the conductive trace containing polymer membranes 750,751 to move with the stretchable substrate 730 as it is stretched in oneor more directions without breaking the conductivity in the conductivetrace it is to be noted that the synthetic polymer membranes 710, 715and conductive traces therein may be the same or different from eachother.

Although not depicted in any figure, it is to be appreciated that someconductive trace may be located on the surface or on portions of thesynthetic polymer membrane as a consequence of the imbibing process. Inembodiments where the conductive trace is applied via a liquid carrier(e.g., an electrically conductive ink) heat may be applied to theelectronic panel to remove at least a portion of the liquid carrier. Thetemperature applied may be sufficient to at least partially fuse theconductive trace (e.g., metal particles) within the synthetic polymermembrane to form a continuous network of conductive particles. In otherembodiments, such as where the conductive trace is applied to thesurface of the synthetic polymer membrane, heat may be applied to theelectronic panel to at least partially melt the conductive trace (e.g.,metal particles) to form a continuous network of conductive particles onthe surface of the synthetic polymer membrane. In other embodiments,heat be used to remove ligands or other processing aids from theconductive particles.

In some embodiments, an insulative overcoat may be applied over theelectrically conductive trace to assist in protecting the electricallyconductive trace from external elements, such as, but not limited to,abrasion. Non-limiting examples of materials used to insulate theelectrically conductive trace include urethanes, acrylics, silicones,Styrene Isoprene Butadiene Block Copolymers, Viton FKM (a syntheticrubber and fluoropolymer elastomer), polyolefins, or fluoropolymers.

Advantageously, the conductive articles described herein are highlyflexible, having a flexibility of less than 0.1 grams force-cm2/cm asevidenced by the Kawabata test set forth below. Additionally, theconductive articles are highly durable and are able to withstandmultiple washings while still maintaining conductivity in the electronicpanel. Further, the conductive articles are highly stretchable, asdefined by the Stretch v. Resistance test set forth herein. Also, theconductive articles are also highly breathable, having an MVTR of atleast 2,000 as evidenced by the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR)test described herein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating physical components (e.g.,hardware) of a computing device, which may be incorporated into and/orcommunicatively coupled to an electronic panel as described herein(e.g., the electronic panel 102, 202, 302, 402, and/or 502). Thecomputing device components described below may be able to sense and/orprocess physiological data (e.g., movement data, pulse rate data, bloodpressure data, oxygen saturation data and/or other cardiac and/orrespiratory data). In a basic configuration, the computing device 800may include at least one processing unit 802 and a system memory 804.Depending on the configuration and type of computing device, the systemmemory 804 may comprise, but is not limited to, volatile storage (e.g.,random access memory), non-volatile storage (e.g., read-only memory),flash memory, or any combination of such memories. The system memory 804may include an operating system 805 and one or more, such as a sensingand processing component 820.

The operating system 805, for example, may be suitable for controllingthe operation of the computing device 800. Furthermore, embodiments ofthe disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with a graphics library,other operating systems, or any other application program and is notlimited to any particular application or system. This basicconfiguration is illustrated in FIG. 8 by those components within adashed line 808. The computing device 800 may have additional featuresor functionality. For example, the computing device 800 may also includeadditional data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable). Suchadditional storage is illustrated in FIG. 8 by a removable storagedevice 809 and a non-removable storage device 810.

As stated above, a number of program modules and data files may bestored in the system memory 804. While executing on the processing unit802, the program modules 806 (e.g., the sensing and processing component820) may perform processes including, but not limited to, the aspects,as described herein, e.g., the sensing aspects described in FIG. 1.

Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in anelectrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged orintegrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizinga microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements ormicroprocessors. For example, embodiments of the disclosure may bepracticed via a system-on-a-chip (SOC) where each or many of thecomponents illustrated in FIG. 8 may be integrated onto a singleintegrated circuit. Such an SOC device may include one or moreprocessing units, graphics units, communications units, systemvirtualization units and various application functionality all of whichare integrated (or “burned”) onto the chip substrate as a singleintegrated circuit. When operating via an SOC, the functionality,described herein, with respect to the capability of client to switchprotocols may be operated via application-specific logic integrated withother components of the computing device 800 on the single integratedcircuit (chip). Embodiments of the disclosure may also be practicedusing other technologies capable of performing logical operations suchas, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited tomechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition,embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced within a general purposecomputer or in any other circuits or systems.

The computing device 800 may also have one or more input device(s) 812such as visual image sensors, audio sensors, a sound or voice inputdevice, a touch or swipe input device, etc. The output device(s) 814such as a display, speakers, etc. may also be included. Theaforementioned devices are examples and others may be used. Thecomputing device 800 may include one or more communication connections816 allowing communications with other computing devices 850 (e.g.,computing devices 128 and/or 130). Examples of suitable communicationconnections 816 include, but are not limited to, radio frequency (RF)transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver circuitry; universal serialbus (USB), parallel, and/or serial ports.

The term computer readable media as used herein may include computerstorage media. Computer storage media may include volatile andnonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any methodor technology for storage of information, such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, or program modules. The system memory804, the removable storage device 809, and the non-removable storagedevice 810 are all computer storage media examples (e.g., memorystorage). Computer storage media may include RAM, ROM, electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, optical storage, magnetic storage devices, or anyother article of manufacture which can be used to store information andwhich can be accessed by the computing device 800. Any such computerstorage media may be part of the computing device 800. Computer storagemedia does not include a carrier wave or other propagated or modulateddata signal.

Communication media may be embodied by computer readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, andincludes any information delivery media. The term “modulated datasignal” may describe a signal that has one or more characteristics setor changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Byway of example, and not limitation, communication media may includewired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, andwireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared, andother wireless media.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a mobile computing device 900, for example, amobile telephone, a smart phone, wearable computer (such as a smartwatch), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and the like, with whichembodiments of the disclosure may be practiced. For example, thecomputing devices 128 and/or 130 may have some or all of thefunctionality of the mobile computing device 900. In certainembodiments, some of the processing and/or storing of the physiologicalsignals sensed by the electronic panel embodiments may be performed bythe mobile computing device 900. Additionally, or alternatively, themobile computing device 900 may transmit data to the electronic panelembodiments and/or provide a way for a subject (e.g., the subject 106)to interact with the electronic panel embodiments.

In a basic configuration, the mobile computing device 900 is a handheldcomputer having both input elements and output elements. The mobilecomputing device 900 typically includes a display 905 and one or moreinput buttons 910 that allow the user to enter information into themobile computing device 900. The display 905 of the mobile computingdevice 900 may also function as an input device (e.g., a touch screendisplay). If included, an optional side input element 915 allows furtheruser input. The side input element 915 may be a rotary switch, a button,or any other type of manual input element. In alternative aspects,mobile computing device 900 may incorporate more or less input elements.For example, the display 905 may not be a touch screen in someembodiments. In yet another alternative embodiment, the mobile computingdevice 900 is a portable phone system, such as a cellular phone. Themobile computing device 900 may also include an optional keypad 935.Optional keypad 935 may be a physical keypad or a “soft” keypadgenerated on the touch screen display. In various embodiments, theoutput elements include the display 905 for showing a graphical userinterface (GUI), a visual indicator 920 (e.g., a light emitting diode),and/or an audio transducer 925 (e.g., a speaker). In some aspects, themobile computing device 900 incorporates a vibration transducer forproviding the user with tactile feedback. In yet another aspect, themobile computing device 900 incorporates input and/or output ports, suchas an audio input (e.g., a microphone jack), an audio output (e.g., aheadphone jack), and a video output (e.g., a HDMI port) for sendingsignals to or receiving signals from an external device.

FIG. 9B is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of one aspectof a mobile computing device. That is, the mobile computing device 900can incorporate a system (e.g., an architecture) 902 to implement someaspects. In one embodiment, the system 902 is implemented as a “smartphone” capable of running one or more applications (e.g., browser,e-mail, calendaring, contact managers, messaging clients, games, andmedia clients/players). In some aspects, the system 902 is integrated asa computing device, such as an integrated personal digital assistant(PDA) and wireless phone.

One or more application programs 966 may be loaded into the memory 962and run on or in association with the operating system 964. Examples ofthe application programs include phone dialer programs, e-mail programs,personal information management (PIM) programs, word processingprograms, spreadsheet programs, Internet browser programs, messagingprograms, and so forth. The system 902 also includes a non-volatilestorage area 968 within the memory 962. The non-volatile storage area968 may be used to store persistent information that should not be lostif the system 902 is powered down. The application programs 966 may useand store information in the non-volatile storage area 968, such asemail or other messages used by an email application, and the like. Asynchronization application (not shown) also resides on the system 902and is programmed to interact with a corresponding synchronizationapplication resident on a host computer to keep the information storedin the non-volatile storage area 968 synchronized with correspondinginformation stored at the host computer. As should be appreciated, otherapplications may be loaded into the memory 962 and run on the mobilecomputing device 900, including the instructions for providing aninput-based FOA model as described herein (e.g., language parser, objectdetector, object selector, and/or movement detector, etc.).

The system 902 has a power supply 970, which may be implemented as oneor more batteries. The power supply 970 may further include an externalpower source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle thatsupplements or recharges the batteries.

The system 902 may also include a radio interface layer 972 thatperforms the function of transmitting and receiving radio frequencycommunications. The radio interface layer 972 facilitates wirelessconnectivity between the system 902 and the “outside world” (e.g., theelectronic panel embodiments) via a communications carrier or serviceprovider. Transmissions to and from the radio interface layer 972 areconducted under control of the operating system 964. In other words,communications received by the radio interface layer 972 may bedisseminated to the application programs 966 via the operating system964, and vice versa.

The visual indicator 920 may be used to provide visual notifications,and/or an audio interface 974 may be used for producing audiblenotifications via an audio transducer 925 (e.g., audio transducer 925illustrated in FIG. 9A). In the illustrated embodiment, the visualindicator 920 is a light emitting diode (LED) and the audio transducer925 may be a speaker. These devices may be directly coupled to the powersupply 970 so that when activated, they remain on fora duration dictatedby the notification mechanism even though the processor 960 and othercomponents might shut down for conserving battery power. The LED may beprogrammed to remain on indefinitely until the user takes action toindicate the powered-on status of the device. The audio interface 974 isused to provide audible signals to and receive audible signals from theuser. For example, in addition to being coupled to the audio transducer925, the audio interface 974 may also be coupled to a microphone toreceive audible input, such as to facilitate a telephone conversation.In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the microphonemay also serve as an audio sensor to facilitate control ofnotifications, as will be described below. The system 902 may furtherinclude a video interface 976 that enables an operation of peripheraldevice 930 (e.g., on-board camera) to record still images, video stream,and the like. Audio interface 974, video interface 976, and keyboard 935may be operated to receive input (e.g., a verbal cue or a textual cue,as described herein).

A mobile computing device 900 implementing the system 902 may haveadditional features or functionality. For example, the mobile computingdevice 900 may also include additional data storage devices (removableand/or non-removable) such as, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape.Such additional storage is illustrated in FIG. 9B by the non-volatilestorage area 968.

Data/information generated or captured by the mobile computing device900 and stored via the system 902 may be stored locally on the mobilecomputing device 900, as described above, or the data may be stored onany number of storage media that may be accessed by the device via theradio interface layer 972 or via a wired connection between the mobilecomputing device 900 and a separate computing device associated with themobile computing device 900, for example, a server computer in adistributed computing network, such as the Internet. As should beappreciated such data/information may be accessed via the mobilecomputing device 900 via the radio interface layer 972 or via adistributed computing network. Similarly, such data/information may bereadily transferred between computing devices for storage and useaccording to well-known data/information transfer and storage means,including electronic mail and collaborative data/information sharingsystems.

As should be appreciated, FIGS. 9A and 9B are described for purposes ofillustrating the present methods and systems and is not intended tolimit the disclosure to a particular sequence of steps or a particularcombination of hardware or software components.

FIG. 10 is yet another example of an electronic panel 1202 incorporatedinto a garment 1204 which is shown for purposes of example as a shirt.FIG. 10 illustrates the back of the garment 1204. In certainembodiments, the electronic panel 1202 can span multiple panels andinclude a trunk extension portion 1208 extending from the front (notshown in FIG. 10) or back trunk portion of the garment 1204. In aspects,the trunk extension portion 1208 extends toward and to the bottomportion of the garment 1204, such as for example to the portion of thegarment located near the waist of a wearer of the garment in theexemplary illustrated shirt. According to certain embodiments, one ormore of the electronic components 1220 can be releasably coupled to theelectronic panel 1202 via an electrical connection 1222. As such, one ormore of the electronic components 1220 can be removed and/or replaced inthe event it is desirous to upgrade one or more of the electroniccomponents 1220 and/or one of the electronic components 1220 fails. Inat least some embodiments, the electrical connection 1222 can beincorporated into a feature of the electronic panel 1202 and/or garment1204, e.g., a zipper, a button, a snap, a male connector, a femaleconnector, a pocket, or a combination thereof.

In at least some embodiments, the electronic panel 1202 and/or thegarment 1204 can include one or more housings 1224 for one or more ofthe electronic components 1220 coupled to the electrically conductivetrace 1218. In certain instances, such as those shown for example inFIG. 10, the housing 1224 can be located on the trunk extension portion1208, and near the waist of a wearer of the garment in the exemplaryillustrated shirt. In certain examples, one or more electroniccomponents 1220 are electrically coupled to the electrically conductivetrace 1218, which can then be used to provide one or more of thefollowing functions: sensing (e.g., sensing one or more parametersassociated with a wearer of the garment 1204 that can be stored asdata), collecting data, processing data, storing data, transmittingdata, providing power to the electronic panel 1202 and its components,providing a user interface (e.g., a touch screen, a microphone), and/orproviding feedback (e.g., sensory, haptic, audio, visual, and/or thelike). FIG. 10 shows an embodiment wherein one electrically conductivewire 1218 is shown extending from the trunk extension portion 1208 to afirst appendage. It should be understood that the electricallyconductive wire 1208 can include a single wire or multiple wiresextending from the trunk portion to any other portion of the electricalpanel 1202. In some embodiments, multiple wires can be attached to theelectronic panel 1202 independently of each other. In other embodiments,additional wires may branch from a wire or wire bundle at a junction.Examples of electronic components 1220 include, but are not limited to,the following: a computing device, a power supply, a power switch (e.g.,power switch 1220A), a sensor, an electronic circuit, an antenna, awireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, a user interface, a remotecontrol, a display device, a touch screen, an audio transmitter, aspeaker, a microphone, a haptic device, a heating element, a charger, ora combination thereof. Other than the features relating to the trunkextension portion 1208 and the location of the electronic components1220 and/or one or more housings 1224 on the trunk extension portion1208 (e.g., near the waist of the wearer of the garment 1204), thegarment 1204 and electronic panel 1202 may include one or more featuresthe same as or similar to other garments and electronic panels describedherein, including those described in connection with FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 5Aand 5B. Features of the embodiments shown in FIG. 10 that are similar tothose shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 5A and 5B are identified by similarreference numbers.

The invention of this application has been described above bothgenerically and with regard to specific embodiments. It will be apparentto those skilled in the art that various modifications and variationscan be made in the embodiments without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. Thus, it is intended that the embodiments cover themodifications and variations of this invention provided they come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment comprising; a plurality of panels,wherein a first panel is a unitary panel extending from a firstappendage of the garment to a second appendage of the garment; whereinat least the first panel comprises at least one conductive trace andwherein the remaining plurality of panels form the remainder of thegarment.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first panel includes asynthetic polymer membrane compressed in the x-y direction and theconductive trace is located within the synthetic polymer membrane; thefirst panel comprises a stretchable substrate bonded to the syntheticpolymer membrane; and the conductive trace is buckled in thez-direction.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is an upperbody garment and the first panel extends from a central portion across afront or a back of the garment to the distal portion of the first armand to the distal portion of the second arm.
 4. The garment of claim 1,wherein the garment is a lower body garment and the first panel extendsfrom a central portion across a front or a back of the garment to thedistal portion of a first leg and to the distal portion of a second leg.5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is a one-piece coverallgarment and the first panel further comprises a trunk extension portionextending from the front or back of the one-piece coverall garment to atrunk portion of the one-piece coverall garment and further comprises atleast one leg extension portion extending from a distal portion of thetrunk extension portion to a distal portion of at least one of a legportion of the one-piece garment.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein atleast one portion of at least one of the distal portions of the firstpanel further comprises a laterally elongated portion whichcircumferentially wraps around at least a portion of the arm portionand/or the leg portion of the garment.
 7. The garment of claim 1,wherein each of the one or more panels is independently a textilefabric, a film, a microporous membrane, or other suitable substrates,which independently may or may not have some degree of elasticity, or alaminate thereof.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first panelcomprises a microporous membrane having the conductive trace imbibed inthe pores, on the microporous membrane or a combination thereof.
 9. Thegarment of claim 1, wherein the first panel further comprises anelectrical connection coupled to the at least one conductive trace andconfigured to releasably couple to one or more electronic components.10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the garment further comprises azipper, a button, a snap, a male connector, a female connector, apocket, or a combination thereof.
 11. The garment of claim 8, whereinthe one or more electronic components is one or more of: a power supply,a power switch, a sensor, an electronic circuit, an antenna, a wirelesstransmitter, a wireless receiver, a remote control, a display device, atouch screen, an audio transmitter, a speaker, a microphone, a hapticdevice, a heating element, or a combination thereof.
 12. The garment ofclaim 11, wherein at least two of: the power supply, the power switch,the sensor, the electronic circuit, the antenna, the wirelesstransmitter, the wireless receiver, the remote control, the displaydevice, the touch screen, the audio transmitter, the speaker, themicrophone, the haptic device, the heating element, or the combinationthereof are connected to each other by the conductive trace.
 13. Thegarment of claim 11, wherein at least one of: the power supply, thepower switch, the sensor, the electronic circuit, the antenna, thewireless transmitter, the wireless receiver, the remote control, thedisplay device, the touch screen, the audio transmitter, the speaker,the microphone, the haptic device, the heating element, or thecombination thereof is removable and/or replaceable.
 14. The garment ofclaim 1, wherein the first panel is a multilayer panel comprising one ormore of textile, film, a combination or a laminate thereof.
 15. Thegarment of claim 14, wherein the multilayer panel is a laminatecomprising an outer textile layer, a middle film layer and an innertextile layer.
 16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the middle filmlayer is a microporous layer wherein the conductive trace is within themicroporous layer.
 17. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first panelfurther comprises a conductive connection configured to routeelectricity or electrical signals from the first panel to a secondpanel.
 18. The garment of claim 1, wherein at least one portion of atleast one of the distal portions of the first panel further comprises apower supply housing.
 19. The garment of claim 1, wherein the unitarypanel is flexible and/or stretchable.
 20. A unitary panel that issubstantially flat and that is capable of being incorporated into agarment (or an article) to form a 3-dimensional garment/article piece,wherein the unitary panel is a conductive panel comprising at least oneconductive trace.
 21. The unitary panel of claim 20, wherein the unitarypanel is flexible and/or stretchable.
 22. A method of manufacturing agarment, the method comprising: providing a plurality of panels, whereina first panel of the plurality of panels is a unitary panel comprising aconductive trace, coupling the first panel to a second panel of theplurality of panels at a seam; coupling any remaining panels to thefirst panel and/or the second panel to form the garment; wherein thefirst panel is devoid of any seams extending: laterally across a portionof the panel, longitudinally across a portion of the panel, or acombination thereof.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first panelextends from a first appendage of the garment to a second appendage ofthe garment.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein the garment is a shirt,wherein the first panel extends from a central portion of a front or aback of the shirt to a distal portion of the first arm and to a distalportion of the second arm.
 25. The method of claim 22, wherein thegarment is a pair of pants, and the first panel extends from a centralportion across the front or back of the garment to the distal portion ofthe first leg and to a distal portion of the second leg.